Dear Niblets,
*Happy 2nd birthday to you all! Two years and 1 day ago, and along with your mama Zuzu, we welcomed you into the world with much love and joy.
Mama Zuzu and her four Niblets, October 2013 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
Your mama, a stray who was left behind when her family moved away, was perfect in every way from your long-awaited birth through feeding and bathing and in teaching you everything you’d need to know on how to become delightful kittens and later, wonderful cats.
Growing up fast, October 2013 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
She didn’t have an ounce of trouble from any of you. You were the most polite and well mannered and adjusted kittens we’d ever had the pleasure of fostering. No whappy paws at the milkbar for you, no teething on brother or sisters, no missing the litter box when that time came. We didn’t mean to brag but we couldn’t help but tell the world how you were the overachiever kittens of all overachiever kittens. You were so far ahead of all the milestones we knew to watch for. It was as if you were determined to rewrite all the kitten fostering books.
The Niblets Illy, Viola, Robbie, and Russell, November 2013 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
And you never failed to brighten our every day. At six hours old, we thought you were adorable. At six weeks old, we wanted to keep you all together as a happy family and a happy foster fail on our part (or would that be a foster win?) With those faces looking up to us every morning at breakfast, every afternoon at weighing time, and every evening until long after we all should have been in bed, how could we possibly part with any of you?
But part we must and so, through tears and tight throats and yet with so much joy bursting in our hearts knowing you were off to the very best homes any kitten could ever have, we gave our final kisses and waved good bye.
Robbie who became Talliah, December 2013 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
Little Robbie who fooled everyone into believing she was a boy for the longest time, self-appointed Ambassador of the Niblets who greeted us and visitors at the door every day, the softest gray beauty who became sweet Talliah, friend and little sister to cat and dog alike now lives in a beautiful village in the Pacific Northwest.
Russell, December 2013 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
Russell, Zuzu’s ginger boy, who was always lean and lanky with such a laid-back personality. We knew you’d get along with whoever you’d meet, become one big, orange love bug, and break all the girl cats’ hearts.
Illy who became Tiger, December 2013 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
Beautiful Tortie girl Illy who became Tiger, firstborn of the Niblets, always mature and mother-like to her siblings. Every time we see a dark Tortie, we think of you and wonder how gorgeous you are now, and wonder if you have a touch of your mama’s discipline.
Honorary Niblet Winter who became Lily, December 2013 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
Pretty, pretty Winter who became Lily, adopted alongside Illy/Tiger. Accepted into the fold for extra socializing, made Honorary Niblet, and wiggled her way into our hearts. So serious you always were with your beautiful ice-blue eyes. We loved your willingness to snuggle with your sister when others got too rambunctious. We bet you grew into a beautiful girl and hope you two still get along.
Viola, December 2013 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
Sweet Viola, what can we say other than to ramble on about how much we love you. Truth be told, we weren’t planning on adopting any of your mama’s kittens. But after taking one look at you, with your big eyes and baby cheetah face, your long, sproingy legs and that Manx bunny butt behind, no one needed to twist our arms.
Viola listening to the Santa story, December 2013 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
We were in love from the start. We were in love with all of your sisters and your brother but somehow, amongst all that cuteness, you stood out from the rest. Was that by design?
Bitey little Viola, January 2014 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
Did you know that as a kitten, you could do whatever you wanted and we would take one look at you and melt into a pile of slobbering goo? Did you know then that even as you got older, you could still pretty much do whatever you want and we’d still not be able to get mad at you?
Viola and her big eyes, April 2015 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
Lucky for us, and just as you were as a wee baby kitten, little squirt, you are still polite and well mannered, and while sometimes you can get very insistent, you know you don’t have to push hard to get what you want.
Viola, our Niblet, October 2015 – 2015 © Colehauscats.com
We’re still working our way toward a million, billion kisses for you, Viola, and sending a million kisses to all your siblings. We hope wherever they are, they are loved and feel loved, that they are well and happy and have grown into the very best cats they could possibly be.
Love and a million kisses to you all, sweet Niblets. Happy 2nd Birthday!
Your long-ago foster mom and dad
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
*All photos used here have never been published before (we have thousands!). To go through all posts, photos, and video of our 2013 Niblets foster event, please begin here.
My goodness, are they 2 already?! We’re wishing them all a wonderful birthday… With special wishes to Viola!
Happy birthday to you all. Who could resist the beautiful Viola?!
Happy Birthday Viola – we hope you have a lovely day with lots of love and treats.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Happy Birthday to all Niblets, far and wide.
Happy birthday to the Niblets! I can’t believe it’s been already two years!! Such sweethearts xxx
Seems just like yesterday we were all on kitten watch. Two years already! It’s fun to take a look back and remember just how cute they were. Happy Birthday niblets and you, Viola, especially,
Angel Normie, Mika, Sasha & Grady Lewis
Happy birthday to all of you, but especially to Viola!
A very Happy Birthday to all the niblets. We sure did enjoy seeing them born and grow up. We are so glad you kept Viola. She is just so pretty. Hope all have a great day.
Happy Birthday to the Awesome Niblets! We watched you from the beginning and we agree that you did kittenhood proud! Now you’re adults and you’re still the best. Thanks for all the joy and happiness you’ve supplied people and fur people all over the world.
Cannot believe these sweeties are 2 years old! Always love to hear updates about adopted kittens.
What a sweet post about those adorable babies. Thanks for marking this event with all those wonderful baby pics.
Happy Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!! OMG i cannot believe that they are two already either!
2 years goes by in a hurry doesn’t it?
What a sweet sweet post. We are so happy that everything worked out so well for everyone has a loving forever home.
Happiest of Birthdays and well done Mama Zuzu! We know your niblets are happy and purring up a storm in their forever homes.
Happy Birthday Viola whom I also love; and all the other Niblets. And love to Zuzu who was an exemplary mom. And you Cole family members who are the treasures you seem to us all for taking such excellent care of them and all of your fur babies.
We came on board as readers of this blog when you had the niblets. Do you have any updates on the rest of the crew?
Emma and Buster
Russell and Talliah (Robbie) continue to thrive and love their families. We wish very much for an update on Illy and Winter but understand that some families wish their privacy. We continue to hope all the Niblets are doing well and know they are loved by so many.
Can’t believe 2 years already! Like so many others we were glued to the screen when you were born. Happy Birthday Niblets.
Happy birthday Viola and all the other niblets!
Happy Happy Birthday to all Niblets !!
XOXO
guys….best fishes, happee day wishes & mice creem dishes two each oh ewe ♫♪♫♪♫♪…we wuz buzzed happee ta follow a long in yur journee & we iz buzzed happee ta bee abe bull ta share sum perch pizza with ewe two day….happee happee 2; & heerz two a yeer a head filled with happee nezz & health for everee one ♥♥
Happy Birthday Viola, and to all the other niblets.
Happy birthday to all da Niblets!
Happy birthday to the Niblets! What an amazingly precious little family!
Feliz aniversário Viola e irmãos. Eu acompanhei todo tempo em que vocês estiveram com sua mamãe foi muito lindo ver vocês crescerem e depois partirem para seus lares adotivos.
Has it really been 2 years already? We remember Niblet-Watch! Happy Birthday to them all. 🙂
Happy Birthday Niblets! TW fell in love with Viola even though they were all perfect. We’re glad we can still see her pretty tabby face.
Two years! It’s hard to believe it’s been so long. We’re so glad that Viola is still here so that we can continue niblet watch indefinitely.
Happy 2nd Birthday to the Niblets! We can’t believe it’s already been two years!
My, how time flies. Happy Birthday Niblets.
Such fun to revisit the kittens and their mama! It makes us very happy that Zuzu (and of course Viola) stayed with you. XOXOXO to all
We remember the Niblets, oh those were happy times and happy days!!!!